WHALES IN THE ANTARCTICA

The geographical knowledge and the cartographic and hydrographic systematization, which would ensure navigation in Antarctica after four decades of lethargy, was revealed in the short span of a decade, mainly with the results of the expeditions of the Dundee whalers, 1892 and 1893 ; from Carl Antón Larsen 1892 to 1894; by Adrián De Gerlache, from 1897 to 1899 and by Otto Nordenskjöld, from 1901 to 1903. Somewhat later the expeditions of Jean Charcot, 1903 to 1905 and 1908 to 1910 completed the modern geographical vision of the region. Antarctic, in terms of their habitat and migrations, the problem was solved, with the methodical scientific study, carried out by the Romanian zoologist and botanist Emile Racowitza, member of the expedition of "Belgium" from 1897 to 1899. Thus, just entered the century XX had been verified all the necessary conditions so that the whaling activity could arise and flourish in these regions.

Hunting for whales, penguins, wolves and sea elephants

The Patagonian coast was the scene of great massacres in the 19th century until about 1920, when it was practically banned everywhere.Using sticks, axes or harpoons, hunters attacked a colony of penguins or sea wolves until they practically finished it off. The oil obtained from its meat, skins and fat was priced very well for industrial use (lubricant) or for lighting.

Whaling harpoon exploding head (c. 1920)

The harpoon was fired with a cannon and at the tip it carried a grenade that mortally wounded the whale, which was hooked with the rest of the harpoon. On Enterprise Island, in Antarctica, among the remains of a floating factory (Governoren), parts of a harpoon have been found.

Whaling boat

Typical whaling boat used in whaling centers such as Azores or, as in this case, in New Bedford. They were used directly from the coast when a lookout saw the whales. The whaling ships carried several of these boats and were launched with a crew of six men: four rowers, a helmsman and a harpooner, they approached the whale and the harpooner threw the harpoon that was tied to a rope (rope), which could join others and form a line of several hundred meters. As soon as the whale is harpooned, it begins a rapid flight with deep dives. It is the last chance she has to escape. In these moments is when the ability of the men is seen since they are towing at high speed, withdrawing the rudder and steering with an oar. Many times the whale turns the boat and it must sail aft. Some whales such as the sperm whale would fight and on many occasions they sank the boat. Others, like the frank, were easily hunted because they were very tame. In this attempt to escape, he lost blood and grew weaker and weaker until he died. At that moment the trailer began to go to the whaling ship where it was fished.

(Antarctic Museum Rooms 13 and 14)